A generational contest in 21st Assembly District

The two major-party candidates vying for the 21st Assembly district seat long held by a Republican Party stalwart not seeking re-election represent not only different parties, but different generations. Call it the Baby Boom generation versus the millennial generation.

The Democratic challenger is Patrick Nicolosi - a party outsider who beat the party-backed candidate in the primary, Hermoine "Mimi" Pierre Johnson, who remains in the race on the Working Families Party line.

The Republican challenger is political newcomer Edward P. Ra, 28, a deputy town attorney in Hempstead for two years - and son of Joseph Ra, Hempstead Town attorney - who lives in Franklin Square. Ra, who also has the Conservative Party line, seeks to claim the mantle of retiring Assemb. Thomas Alfano.

Civic activist

Nicolosi, 53, is an Elmont civic activist who has for years been advocating, and sometimes tussling, with political leaders for jobs and development for Elmont, including Belmont racetrack, tax relief and school reforms.

"I'm not the typical party politician," said Nicolosi, who is president of the East End Civic Association and a trustee of the Elmont Memorial Public Library. He was a registered Republican before returning to the Democratic Party. He attended a tea party rally last year, but said he grew disillusioned with the group that he said has been "hijacked" by the GOP.

Jay Jacobs, the state and Nassau Democratic Party chairman, declined to comment on Nicolosi's bid, saying only, "the candidates should speak."

In scores of Letters to the Editor in Newsday over a decade and in comments to the media, Nicolosi has been a vocal critic of illegal immigration, decried Nassau Republicans for wasteful spending, and pleaded for property tax relief.

Nicolosi said political party doesn't matter, rather helping "the people who are hurting."

Incumbent support

Alfano, who has represented the district for 14 years, said Ra had volunteered on his campaigns and "knows the issues very well. . . . He has the right heart and is the right man to represent this district. That's why I'm wholeheartedly endorsing him."

Ra said he wanted to continue Alfano's "legacy" of supporting schools, being a "voice for everybody in the district," and supporting business development, such as Belmont Park racetrack proposals and "community revitalization, especially on the Hempstead Turnpike corridor."

The 21st Assembly district stretches from the Nassau border with Queens east to Garden City, encompassing all of Elmont, Franklin Square, North Valley Stream, Bellerose Terrace and South Floral Park, and parts of West Hempstead, Malverne, New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Garden City and Garden City South.

Registered Democrats in the district have a slight edge over Republicans: 35,091 to 32,490. There are also 17,499 people who are not registered with any party.

Ra has the money edge, with reports showing he had raised just more than $50,000 through September and spent $4,000. Ra's campaign treasurer, Madeline Presta, said an updated filing later this month will show the campaign has about $12,000 to $14,000 left after expenses.

Nicolosi has raised just more than $4,800 and has spent about $800 through September.

Nicolosi said he decided to run because "party bosses are picking our leaders." He said that while Ra is an "intelligent young man," he is a "novice" that "nobody knows."

Ra acknowledged his youth, but said he had "practical experience" gained as a deputy town attorney doing legal work on some district development projects.

Common issues

Jobs and tax relief are issues raised by both candidates.

"Reducing the property tax burden on the residents of the district and creating jobs" was his focus, Ra said. He advocated using Empire Zones - criticized as ineffective by some - to help get businesses off the ground, and removing impediments to business, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority tax. Ra also supports restoring the STAR rebate property tax checks to seniors.

Nicolosi, who retired 15 years ago as a driver and route salesman for Wonder Bread following a back injury, said: "My whole focus is to create jobs. . . . We need affordable housing. Transit-oriented development has to come, businesses have to come," things that can ignite job growth, Nicolosi suggested. Noting his union connections, Nicolosi, a retired member of Teamsters Local 550, bakery drivers, which has endorsed him, said: "I told the trade unions, 'I'm taking all you members up to Albany with me. You tell the governor and the Assembly we need jobs.' "